World of Tanks

By Reno

World of Tanks is one of the most popular online war games, set in World War 2. We are controlling tank, and our mission is to fight against opponent in spectacular battles up to 60 players! Teamwork and strategy is the essence of this war game.

Achtung Panzer!
World of Tanks is another very good online war game, set during the World War 2, this time its team based, shooting game. In game vehicles – not only tanks, but also tank destroyers or self propered guns – where used this terrible struggle and we can choose between hundreds of them. In the beginning though, we are starting with a tiny German Leichttraktor or Soviet MS-1, very weak light tanks, perfect to know better the game. There is no tutorial, so playing these light tanks it’s good occasion to learn more about World of Tanks.

To play, we just have to click button “Battle” and we can start the game. Battles are up to 60 players, involving 2 teams up to 30 players and most typical mode to play is team deathmatch. There are others modes, but this one is probably the most accurate for beginners. In team deathmatch our mission is to capture enemy base, so first of all we must eliminate all the opponents or they will eliminate us. Don’t be surprised when you tank will be destroyed with one hit, this is the game where death is often unexpected and after that we need to wait till the next battle, because there is not respawn. It can be frustrating part of the game, so every player should reconsider what is the best, to attack on the enemy base charging or to sit at home and wait on enemies.

As a player who remember very well Battlefield 1942, I feel like home, because World of Tanks has a lot of similarities, mostly because in Battlefield 1942 tanks player an important role during the battles. Tank are easily controlled, with our mouse and keyboard and aiming system is easy enough to shoot even when we are moving (this skill I guess it’s the most important to learn). Of course our first tank is very slow, but second or third one is much faster and you will notice how your speed and maneuver are impacting the gameplay.

Tiger vs. IS
After each battle we are receiving credits and experience. Experience points are used to buy technology, from technology tree to upgrade our tank or research another, better one. Credits are the main currency used in World of Tanks, so we can buy new tanks, crew members, and new cannon for our vehicle, new engine or radio system with longer range. Vehicles are divided into 5 groups, light, medium, heavy, tank destroyers and SPG (artillery). Each one of those, can be upgraded with better part during the game, we just have to earn certain amount of credits and experience. There are 3 faction to choose with own tech tree and vehicles, which mean there is really a lot of everything from tanks to guns. We can hire new crew members, with higher experience and skills, or raise their experience on our own, because each crew member is receiving experience during the battle, there is a Commander, Radio Operator, Loader and Driver. After some time, loader is much faster; helping us to increase the rate of fire, driver speeds up movement and the Commander is aiming a lot better.

After each battle, we must repair our vehicle, (which cost is depending how expensive our tank it is) and refill our ammo, which is not infinite. Also we can buy few types of ammunition; armor piercing or high explosive (available for premium account money – gold). As a newbie, you will die a lot of times, so be prepared and try to alt+tab the game and return after several minutes. Of course you can watch which side is winning, but after some time you’ll be only frustrated.

Summary
World of Tanks is enjoyable online war game, very well done with easy controls and great gameplay. It’s for casuals and for those who love World War 2 games, especially all tank geeks out there. I played in World of Tanks several weeks and I guess it’s one of the best free online war games and only one tank shooting game worth to try these days. See you on the battlefield!